Sales News

An exceptional colt with global credentials from the female family that produced exciting young European sires Holy Roman Emperor and Kheleyf as well as leading Australian sires Encosta de Lago and Flying Spur will be offered by Runnymede Farm at Arqana’s Deauville yearling sale in France on August 13.

Bred by Runnymede in Ireland, the colt by top European sire Oasis Dream out of the Seeking the Gold mare Seek Easy owns a catalogue page that features eight champions and/or Group 1 winners in North America, Europe and Australia.

Perhaps even more impressive is the incredible string of outstanding sires produced by the family, which stems from Fanfreluche, the colt’s third dam who was an American champion and a Canadian Horse of the Year before becoming a prolific producer.

Encosta de Lago ranked as Australian champion sire for the 2007-’08 and 2008-’09 seasons, while Flying Spur stood atop Australia’s general sire list in 2006-’07. Holy Roman Emperor currently is Europe’s leading freshman sire, while Kheleyf was Europe’s champion freshman sire of 2008.

The Arqana online catalogue page for Runnymede’s Oasis Dream colt, who will sell as Hip 87, with Watership Down Stud acting as agent, can be accessed from this address:

A half brother to 2010 multiple European group stakes-placed performer Dancing David, the Oasis Dream colt “looks like he will be precocious as a two-year-old while possessing a classic-type build and pedigree,” said Runnymede Vice President and General Manager Martin O’Dowd. “He is correct and has good size and a very athletic way of moving. We think he is a perfect fit for Arqana’s select sale. His pedigree and conformation suggest he has substantial international appeal, and this sale attracts buyers from around the world.”

There could be even more developments in the colt’s immediate family. Runnymede Chairman Catesby W. Clay, who races Dancing David with United Kingdom-based trainer Brian Meehan, plans to enter that colt in the Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2) at York on August 17. Dancing David, a three-year-old son of Danehill Dancer, also has been nominated to the 150th running of Australia’s premier race, the Melbourne Cup (G1), as well as to the Cox Plate (G1) and Caulfield Cup (G1) during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Another member of the immediate family, Alain and Gerard Wertheimer’s Exhi, is set to run in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G2) on August 7. Winner of the Lexington Stakes (G2) and three other stakes while compiling a four-race win streak for trainer Todd Pletcher, Exhi is one of the leading three-year-olds in North America this year.